The Union of Students from Romania criticizes the decision of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan to assume leadership, on an interim basis, at the Ministry of Education and Research, considering it a sign that “puts education last and believes that problems in this basic area in a healthy society can be postponed.”
The fact that, 22 days after the resignation of the Minister of Education and Research, Daniel David, another minister has not yet been appointed is considered regrettable by the Romanian Students’ Union, which conveyed, through a press release, that thus “the government has shown again that it puts education last and believes that problems in this basic area in a healthy society can be postponed.”
“The assumption of the interim by the prime minister reminds us of the case of the former deputy prime minister Dragoș Anastasiu, whose portfolio was occupied by an interim, namely also by Mr. Ilie Bolojan, for two months. In this sense, we believe that the Government continues to postpone and neglect the solution to the education crisis”, it is shown in the press release.
One of the biggest concerns is the payment of social grants. The resigned minister Daniel David announced the allocation of approximately 60 million euros of support from the European Commission, money that should complete the scholarship fund. The students draw attention that these funds have not yet been regulated, so the promise of paying the scholarships, from February, from these funds could be called into question.
“Less than a month ago, the former minister announced the allocation of support from the European Commission to the scholarship fund. In the same press release, the ministry informed us that the first payments will be made in February, being those related to the January scholarships. Shortly after this news was followed by the minister’s resignation. We want to draw attention to the seriousness of the situation, especially that the funds from the ESF+ have not yet been regulated, which will clearly lead to the delay of the first payments. As long as the prime minister occupies this position as an interim, there are major risks, such as an accentuated inactivity at the ministry level, due to occupying two positions at the same time”, signals the Union of Students from Romania.
Fear of new austerity measures
Students interpret the extension of the interim at the Ministry of Education and Research as a sign that further austerity measures may be in the pipeline. “Several media sources reported that the reason for Minister David’s resignation is his refusal to adopt new austerity measures. These possible reasons are also strengthened by the lack of consensus in the appointment of a new minister. The recent statements of Rector Marilen Pirtea regarding the taking over of the ministry according to its budget are also relevant. This fact foreshadows a worrying picture regarding the changes to the education system in 2026”student leaders say.
The fact that the draft budget is not yet available also deepens fears about the scholarship fund. Neither the students nor the universities know whether the money from the European Social Fund will come to supplement this fund or whether the payment of the social grants would be made exclusively from European money and from the efforts of the universities. Students appreciate the financial effort made by universities this year to support the payment of social grants, but if the burden will continue to remain exclusively on universities there is a danger that certain fees will be increased, they fear.
“A number of universities have decided to allocate social scholarships from their own funds, a fact which, although it brings an increased deficit and a postponement of investments, contributes to the support of students in difficult situations. In this sense, we believe that a partnership between representative student organizations and universities is essential for reducing the problems in the educational system and we call on their managements to work together to achieve the best results for students”the representatives of the Romanian Students’ Union also sent.
